Spy cameras catch criminals on move

Date: 66/11/2005
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POLICE have recovered a haul of stolen goods including cigarettes worth £250,000 and cars valued at £90,000 in the space of a month under a new crackdown on crime in South Yorkshire using hi-tech equipment which instantly identifies suspect vehicles. The automatic number plate recognition system was introduced a month ago, using cameras which identify cars either known to be linked to crime or motoring offences, such as being used without tax or insurance.

A newly-formed "intercept squad", using highly-experienced traffic officers, halts the vehicles and starts a criminal investigation. In addition to the high-profile recovery of cigarettes and cars over the last month, officers have seized other property including dangerous weapons and have made a total of more than 40 arrests.

Officers used the new tactics for a two-day operation in Sheffield, which ended last night. Yesterday five people were arrested for suspected involvement in vehicle crime and burglary, with another taken into custody for investigation into handling stolen goods. Many other motorists have been stopped by officers suspecting motoring offences have been committed.

The plate recognition system is so effective because it takes the random element out of police decisions to stop vehicles on the road. By the time officers are instructed to pull up a vehicle, they know there is a reason to stop it. At that point, their policing expertise takes over and on many occasions the results of investigating suspect motorists have exceeded expectations.

Now Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes wants to extend the system and introduce more intercept teams: "I would like to see further teams in future. They have already proved their value and effectiveness," he said.

"It is a crime detection tool which takes away the random element of stopping cars. When you stop them, you already know there is something to talk about. Then you bring into play policing skills. It is not what we stop them for, it is what we finish up with. We have new powers to seize vehicles, so people will be driving in and walking out," he said.

Nationally, the system is likely to become increasingly dominant. Police policy is to promote the use of both fixed cameras and mobile units, which can operate around the clock.

The objective is to make it increasingly difficult for criminals to use the roads without being challenged. Police have also launched Operation Impact, aimed at catching hundreds of wanted suspects across South Yorkshire in an attempt to reduce crime levels through the winter.

Officers have identified around 700 people throughout the county who they suspect as being involved in crime and want to track down. A wide range of officers are involved, including those from the traffic and mounted sections, supported by special constables and police community support officers.

Those on the police list are wanted for offences including burglary, car crime, domestic violence and criminal damage. As part of the campaign, leaflets are being distributed to thousands of households in an attempt to encourage people to pass on information about offenders through the Crimestoppers system,on 0800 555 111, which allows callers to speak anonymously.

Mr Hughes said: "This will be a long-standing campaign to serve notice on offenders that there will be no hiding place."

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